"Right now, California buys power when we need extra power, said Katelyn Roedner Sutter, state director of the Environmental Defense Fund, a nonprofit group. We're basically buying it from 7-11. We buy whatever is available. It meets our need and keeps the lights on. It's probably more expensive. The new market would be more like Costco. We'd plan ahead. We'd buy in bulk. We'd have more options. The price is probably lower."
"The Legislature passed the law two weeks ago with overwhelming bipartisan support: 34-0 in the state Senate and 74-1 in the Assembly, with San Diego Republican Carl DeMaio opposed. But critics worry it contains too many loopholes, like the disastrous law that former Gov. Pete Wilson signed in 1996 that deregulated electric utilities, led to blackouts, price-gouging by companies like Enron, the bankruptcy of PG&E and the recall of former Gov. Gray Davis in 2003."
California has built so much solar capacity that during sunny spring days it sometimes produces more electricity than needed, forcing curtailment of solar farms. Governor Gavin Newsom signed a law to create a streamlined regional electricity market across the Western states to make interstate power buying and selling easier. Supporters say the market will export surplus renewable energy, expand competition, allow planned bulk purchases, and lower utility bills. The Legislature approved the bill with overwhelming bipartisan votes. Critics warn the law may contain loopholes, risk repeating past deregulation failures, reduce California's regulatory control, and weaken environmental and consumer protections.
#solar-overgeneration #regional-electricity-market #interstate-power-trading #consumer-protection-concerns
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